Earlier this year, ICHS organized the first-ever Lunar New Year 5K at the Mercer Slough Nature Park in Bellevue to bring attention to its new Bellevue medical-dental clinic. The sold-out event attracted over 300 runners and walkers, raising over $21,000 to support uncompensated patient care.

The Lunar New Year is traditionally the most significant holiday for many Asian Pacific Islanders, marking the return of Spring and a special time for families to offer wishes for health and prosperity in the coming year. The Year of the Rooster begins on January 28, 2017.

“We’re encouraging folks to integrate this healthy, family-friendly winter activity into their celebration of the New Year,” ICHS Foundation Director Ron Chew said.

The start of the 5K will be launched with a colorful lion dance performance. The event includes chip-timing, awards in different age categories and for best costumes, raffle prizes and post-race food and beverages.

Super early bird registration before November 1 is $20. A free commemorative t-shirt will be included along with the registration fee. The event will be free to children under 13 and those over the age of 70. Seniors between the ages of 60 and 69 will receive a $5 discount.

To register, visit www.ichs.com/5k. For information about the event or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Chris Potter at 206-788-3694 or christinajp@ichs.com.

International Community Health Services (ICHS) has announced plans to hold the second annual Lunar New Year 5k in Shoreline on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Earlier this year, ICHS organized the first-ever Lunar New Year 5k at the Mercer Slough Nature Park in Bellevue to bring attention to its new Bellevue medical-dental clinic. The sold-out event attracted over 300 runners and walkers, raising over $21,000 to support uncompensated patient care.

The Lunar New Year is traditionally the most significant holiday for many Asian Pacific Islanders, marking the return of Spring and a special time for families to offer wishes for health and prosperity in the coming year. The Year of the Rooster begins on January 28, 2017.

“With the success and popularity of this new tradition we thought it would be nice to now turn the spotlight on our other new ICHS clinic in Shoreline in 2017,” ICHS Foundation Director Ron Chew said.

Chew pointed out that the Lunar New Year 5k will take place along the Interurban Trail in Shoreline.

“We’re encouraging folks to integrate this healthy, family-friendly winter activity into their celebration of the New Year,” Chew said.

The start of the 5k will be launched with a colorful lion dance performance. The event includes chip-timing, awards in different age categories and for best costumes, raffle prizes and post-race food and beverages.

ICHS was established in 1973 as a free storefront clinic in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, providing bilingual health care to low-income residents, especially immigrant families and seniors. The agency now offers services through its seven locations, including new clinics in Bellevue and Shoreline. Last year, ICHS served over 25,500 unduplicated patients and provided interpretation in 53 languages.

Last year, ICHS provided $1.2 million in charity care. Proceeds from the Shoreline 5k will go toward supporting care for these patients in need.

The 37,000 sq. ft. ICHS Shoreline medical-dental clinic is located at 16549 Aurora Ave. N. The new three-story facility opened in September, 2014 as the first non-profit community health center in Shoreline. A pharmacy is scheduled to open inside the clinic later this year.

Early registration is $25. A free commemorative t-shirt will be included along with the registration fee. The event will be free to children under 13 and those over the age of 70. Seniors between the ages of 60 and 69 will receive a $5 discount.

The race website will open for registration in late July. For information about the event or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Christine Loredo at 206-788-3672 or christinel@ichs.com

Needy patients were the big winners as the 2015 Bloom Gala raised over $172,000 for uncompensated care provided by the medical and dental clinics of International Community Health Services (ICHS).

More than 400 supporters and friends of ICHS participated in the 42nd anniversary gala, held May 8 at the Westin Seattle Hotel, which made for a memorable evening of celebration for the work and achievements of one of the leading community health centers in the state.

ICHS has clinics in the Chinatown/International District neighborhood, Holly Park/South Seattle, Bellevue, and Shoreline, and locations at Seattle World School and at Asian Counseling and Referral Service, and a Mobile Dental Clinic. In 2014, ICHS served more than 21,000 patients and spent nearly $1 million in charity care.

“We are grateful for the support of our friends in making the 2015 Bloom Gala a big success,” said Ron Chew, executive director of ICHS Foundation. “In these times when our health care environment is rapidly changing, it’s more important than ever for ICHS to be able to offer a health care safety net for many of our patients. We can only do that with generous help from our donors and friends.”

He also thanked the dozens of volunteers, sponsors, guests, table captains, and gala planning committee members, who worked tirelessly over several months to stage the event.

During the gala, guests were treated to testimony and video of patients who benefited from ICHS’ services. A highlight was the awarding of the 2015 Bamboo Award for Health to Seattle World School and to Nikkei Concern’s co-founder Tosh Okamoto, for their work in upholding ICHS’ mission of improving the health of Asian Pacific Islanders and the broader community.

Also at the gala, Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci and Shoreline Deputy Mayor Chris Eggen expressed pride and appreciation for ICHS’ presence in their respective cities, and called for stronger partnerships with ICHS to reach even more patients within their communities.

Photo Caption: ICHS supporters raise their support card during the “Raise the Paddle” portion of the 2015 Bloom Gala, presented by ICHS Foundation on May 8. More than 400 supporters and friends of ICHS took part in the 2015 Bloom Gala, which raised over $172,000 for charity care for ICHS clinics.

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About ICHS

Founded in 1973, ICHS is a non-profit community health center offering affordable primary medical and dental care, acupuncture, laboratory, pharmacy, behavioral health WIC, and health education services. ICHS’ four full-service medical and dental clinics — located in Seattle’s International District and Holly Park neighborhoods; and in the cities of Bellevue and Shoreline — serve over 20,000 patients each year. As the only community health center in Washington primarily serving Asians and Pacific Islanders, ICHS provides care in over 50 languages and dialects annually. ICHS is committed to improving the health of medically-underserved communities by providing affordable and in-language health care. For more information, please visit: www.ichs.com

A longtime community activist who led efforts to protect the welfare of Japanese American seniors, and a Seattle public school dedicated to helping immigrant children reach their academic potentials, have been named recipients of the 2015 Bamboo Award for Health by the International Community Health Services (ICHS) Foundation.

Tosh Okamoto, a co-founder of Nikkei Concerns, and Seattle World School, a public school that helps immigrant children fully participate in American society, have been recognized with the Bamboo Award for Health, which, each year, honors one individual and one organization whose works have improved the lives of ICHS’ target populations of disadvantaged and underserved residents.

The award will be presented to Okamoto and Seattle World School on May 8 during the 2015 Bloom Gala at the Westin Seattle Hotel.

“We take special delight in presenting the 2015 Bamboo Award for Health to Tosh Okamoto and Seattle World School because they both exemplify the best in selfless support for the ICHS mission of providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health services to improve the health of Asian Pacific Islanders and the broader community,” ICHS Foundation Executive Director Ron Chew said.

Okamoto, 88, a military veteran who was on the board of Nikkei Concerns up until a decade ago, worked with his colleagues to champion the rights and well being of Japanese American seniors. One of their achievements was construction of Nikkei Manor, which provides affordable housing for the elderly, and where Okamoto and his wife, Toshi, now live.

“I’m very humbled to be selected for this award. Actually, I’m embarrassed. It’s really the whole community that should get the award. (Former Uwajimaya CEO) Tomio Moriguchi and I helped point the way on Nikkei Concerns, but many other people helped follow through and made it happen. This is really the community’s award,” he said.

Established in 1980 as the Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center (SBOC), Seattle World School has evolved to become one of the few schools in the state to offer basic English training and academic skills development for immigrant children.

With funding from the City of Seattle’s Families and Education Levy, ICHS and Seattle World School partnered in 2011 to provide on-site, culture and language-appropriate medical, dental, and behavioral health care for the students, many of whom come from refugee families.

“We are very excited to receive the award because we are very proud of the partnership between Seattle World School and ICHS; we do not feel that it’s a separate entity, but a true part of our school,” said Concie Pedroza, principal of Seattle World School.

“My wish is for this partnership to remain strong and for ICHS to be able to do more, not just here but in other public schools. They really should be fully funded so that they can get to do more,” she said.

Tickets are now available for the 2015 ICHS Bloom Gala, which raises money for charity care at ICHS clinics. For ticket and other information, visit www.ichs.com/bloom

Photo Caption: (Top) Toshi, left, and Tosh Okamoto at the Nikkei Manor. (Bottom) A student at Seattle World School receives primary care from an ICHS health professional. Tosh Okamoto and Seattle World School have been named winners of the 2015 Bamboo Award for Health by the International Community Health Services Foundation.

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About ICHSFounded in 1973, ICHS is a non-profit community health center offering affordable primary medical and dental care, acupuncture, laboratory, pharmacy, behavioral health WIC, and health education services. ICHS’ four full-service medical and dental clinics — located in Seattle’s International District and Holly Park neighborhoods; and in the cities of Bellevue and Shoreline — serve over 20,000 patients each year. As the only community health center in Washington primarily serving Asians and Pacific Islanders, ICHS provides care in over 50 languages and dialects annually. ICHS is committed to improving the health of medically underserved communities by providing affordable and in-language health care. For more information, please visit: www.ichs.com

More than 1,000 people turned out in Olympia on Thursday for Asian Pacific American Legislative Day to rally and bring issues near and dear to the community before Gov. Jay Inslee and state legislators.

The rally, organized by the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, was joined by representatives of Asian Pacific islander community groups and their clients, including many seniors, students, and disabled residents. Among the groups represented at the event were International Community Health Services (ICHS), Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), and Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC).

Among the issues presented by the community groups to lawmakers were calls for more support for health care, including a capital request from ICHS Foundation Director Ron Chew to support the new Shoreline Medical and Dental Clinic; more support for K-12 and higher education; increased environmental protection; and increased support for case management and senior housing.

Preceding his appearance at the rally, Gov. Inslee met with representatives of the community groups, where he highlighted the budget and revenue challenges confronting the legislature. He urged them to work with their state lawmakers to support issues that are important for the API community.

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About ICHSFounded in 1973, ICHS is a non-profit community health center offering affordable primary medical and dental care, acupuncture, laboratory, pharmacy, behavioral health WIC, and health education services. ICHS’ four full-service medical and dental clinics — located in Seattle’s International District and Holly Park neighborhoods; and in the cities of Bellevue and Shoreline — serve over 20,000 patients each year. As the only community health center in Washington primarily serving Asians and Pacific Islanders, ICHS provides care in over 50 languages and dialects annually. ICHS is committed to improving the health of medically underserved communities by providing affordable and in-language health care. For more information, please visit: www.ichs.com

International Community Health Services (ICHS) and the ICHS Foundation are now accepting nominations for the 2015 Bamboo Award for Health, to recognize the outstanding work of people and organizations in supporting ICHS and its mission.

The nominations will be accepted until March 6. The award will be presented at the ICHS Bloom Gala on May 8. Awardees will be contacted by March 13.

The Bamboo Award for Health was established to recognize the exceptional work and achievement of people and organizations that support ICHS’s mission of providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health services to improve the health of Asian Pacific Islanders and the broader community.

These works and achievements may have resulted in:

— Increasing access to health services for ICHS patients, clients, or the local Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community and other local underserved communities.

— Improving measurable health outcomes for ICHS patients, clients, or the local API community or other local underserved communities.

— Increased resources that allow ICHS to serve or expand its patient and client populations.

Last year, the late Rep. Kip Tokuda was recipient of the 2014 Bamboo Award for Health. The former state legislator, who died in July 2013, was a prominent leader in Seattle’s API community and credited for mentoring several generations of civic and political leaders, including ICHS Foundation Director Ron Chew. Tokuda was also a long-time supporter and former board member of ICHS, and spent his career advocating for children and under-represented communities. The award was presented to his family at last year’s gala.

For more information, application instructions, and to download the nomination forms, please click here.

Photo caption: The late Rep. Kip Tokuda was recipient of the 2014 Bamboo Award for Health. The award was presented to his family at the 2014 ICHS Bloom Gala.

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About ICHS

Founded in 1973, ICHS is a non-profit community health center offering affordable primary medical and dental care, acupuncture, laboratory, pharmacy, behavioral health WIC, and health education services. ICHS’ four full-service medical and dental clinics — located in Seattle’s International District and Holly Park neighborhoods; and in the cities of Bellevue and Shoreline — serve over 20,000 patients each year. As the only community health center in Washington primarily serving Asians and Pacific Islanders, ICHS provides care in over 50 languages and dialects annually. ICHS is committed to improving the health of medically underserved communities by providing affordable and in-language health care. For more information, please visit: www.ichs.com

Thank you to all our supporters for making this past Saturday our biggest Bloom Gala in history! Over 400 guests packed the Seattle Marriott Waterfront ballroom to help raise money for vital health services for the neediest members of our community. Together, you helped us raise over $200,000 for much-needed affordable and in-language care. Thank you! Stay tuned for event photos!